August 20, 1882: debut of 1812 Overture
On this day in 1882, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture made its debut in Moscow.
This clue will look familiar to two members of #ToC2014:
| CLASSICAL MUSIC |
| THIS PIECE THAT PREMIERED IN MOSCOW IN 1882 INCLUDES STRAINS FROM “GOD SAVE THE CZAR” & “LA MARSEILLAISE” |
Tchaikovsky composed it to commemorate Russia’s defense against Napoleon’s invasion in 1812. Hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned, the Russians burned many of their own towns and farms, denying Napoleon and his army critical supplies. Only 1/10 of La Grande Armée survived the winter.
The two songs mentioned represented the two sides, even though neither was in use at the time. La Marseillaise had been banned by 1812, and God Save the Czar was adopted in 1833.
Perhaps most famously, the score calls for cannon fire leading up to and during the climax, the best-known sequence of the piece.
Image: Sgt. Jennifer C. Johnson at a 2012 performance in Washington, D.C.